Tag Archives: Dell

Just caught this on Digg (ick, I really don’t care much for that site but that’s a whole different post). On Direct2Dell, there’s a short story about the XPS notebook being offered in Europe. Expect the notebook to be released in the US for sale sometime the last week of January 2008.

I have to really appreciate Dell here. While they are being tremendously slow (or cautious) about opening up their product line as Linux offerings, they are obviously gradually doing it. Next, I would love to see an XPS desktop system as well as offering Linux in many many more countries. Currently, it looks like its offered in the US and Europe.

One last note, the pricing (though exchange rates makes it difficult to nail down) looks very competitive. Staples offers a Dell XPS M1330 notebook with Windows Vista Home Premium. It usually runs about $1100US but with only a basic Core 2 Duo and 2 GB RAM. I souped up my system on the Dell UK site and go a decently priced mean machine. An interesting option I noticed was the Solid State Drive.

Looking for a new system? Time to upgrade? Skip the Microsoft Tax and buy Linux preloaded. Often the most difficult part of buying a new computer is finding reputable companies that sell Linux based systems. Even then, some still buy Windows systems, wipe them, and load Linux (thereby still buying a Windows system and paying Microsoft).

Why does it matter? For starters, if you don’t want to use Windows then don’t you shouldn’t have to pay for it let alone buy it. Very very few computer manufacturers are going to refund you the famed Microsoft Tax now. Many have EULAs that state you are buying the computer and preloaded software together. They go on to say that if you refuse the software to return it the whole unit for a full refund and that the software is not specifically eligible for a refund.

Another good reason for buying Linux preloaded? It tells the computer companies that people want Linux. Big names Dell and Lenovo started offering Linux options only after enough people petitioned. Now it entirely lies upon enough people buying these computers for the manufacturers to keep offering them and eventually pushing/advertising them.

I think it is entirely critical for Linux to get it preloaded and out there for consumers. I don’t believe in the Year of Linux or any such nonsense. I do believe there can be a year when Linux dies and I don’t want to see that. I believe the future of Linux relies on taking over the desktop now with all the bad press that Vista has.

So finally, I present the preloaded Linux options. This isn’t a review per se, only a listing of the computer manufacturers selling Linux preloaded.